Flavio Briatore, involved in Alonso's management throughout his F1 career, hinted at the McLaren move in an interview with Italian radio Rai.

"Fernando wants to go to a team where there is the possibility to win in the future, even if it is not immediately," Briatore said.

Briatore suggested Alonso's patience with Ferrari had slowly faded over five championship-less seasons.

"Ferrari will always remain in Alonso's heart, it is a team he loves, even though every year it was always spoken about the next one and nothing happened,” Briatore said. "There was also a little disappointment in not seeing an aggressive recruitment of engineers and staff that could raise the bar of the team.”

It is believed the only obstacle to a McLaren-Honda announcement being made now is the collaboration's decision on who will be Alonso's teammate.

On the face of it, and judging by his comments and body language in Brazil last week, Jenson Button looks set to be ousted, leaving Kevin Magnussen as Alonso's teammate. Alonso, however, is said to prefer to have Button on his side, as the former world champions' combined experience will push along the development of the new Honda V6 engine.

"I hope [Button] stays [in F1]," Alonso said in Brazil. "He is a very talented driver and a good person. People like him are good for our sport."

Button, however, is not so sure Alonso will have the power to influence the decision.

If Button does go, it will be a sad farewell for F1's long-serving veteran driver, who might be forgiven for sounding disappointed in McLaren for not going him more notice after an illustrious 15-year career.

"It's like if your parents were to turn around and say, 'We're not sure we want you at Christmas this year. But your brother can come, he's great,'" Button said. "Feeling part of a family is more important than money."

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